Kevin Quevedo settled it with a strike of such quality it seemed to hang in the air
En las alturas de Quito, Alianza Lima confirmó lo que el fútbol a veces exige: no solo ganar, sino saber resistir. Con una ventaja construida en casa y la presión de un estadio adverso, los blanquiazules demostraron que la madurez colectiva puede más que la urgencia ajena. Un gol temprano del local encendió la duda, pero dos respuestas peruanas —una de oficio, otra de belleza— sellaron el pase a los cuartos de final de la Copa Sudamericana 2025.
- Universidad Católica abrió el marcador en el minuto 18 con un gol de Londoño validado por el VAR, despertando la esperanza del estadio Olímpico Atahualpa y sembrando la primera inquietud en el bloque visitante.
- Alianza Lima respondió con frialdad: Erick Castillo igualó en el 39 para restaurar el equilibrio parcial, aunque el marcador global seguía favoreciendo ampliamente a los peruanos.
- El segundo tiempo fue un duelo de nervios —chances desperdiciadas, una intervención clave de Viscarra y la salida en camilla de Zambrano— que mantuvo el resultado en suspenso hasta el último tramo.
- Kevin Quevedo cerró el debate en el minuto 81 con un disparo de larga distancia de una precisión que no admite réplica, sellando el 2-1 y el avance a cuartos de final.
- Alianza avanza sin Paolo Guerrero ni Piero Cari, con la confianza de haber superado una eliminatoria continental lejos de casa y con la mirada puesta en rivales de mayor envergadura.
Alianza Lima viajó a Quito con una ventaja de dos goles del partido de ida y la certeza de que solo necesitaba un empate para avanzar. Pero el fútbol rara vez respeta los cálculos previos. Azarias Londoño anotó en el minuto 18 —gol revisado y confirmado por el VAR— y por un instante el Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa creyó en lo imposible. La respuesta blanquiazul fue serena: Erick Castillo encontró un hueco en la defensa ecuatoriana y anotó en el 39, devolviendo la calma antes del descanso.
El segundo tiempo tuvo la textura de un partido de copa: físico, disputado, sin concesiones. Castillo estuvo cerca de un segundo gol en una mano a mano que no supo resolver. Viscarra salvó a los suyos con una atajada ante Anangonó. En el minuto 80, Zambrano tuvo que abandonar el campo en camilla, reemplazado por Gianfranco Chávez. El partido pedía una definición.
Llegó en el 81, con la firma de Kevin Quevedo. Un disparo desde fuera del área que se coló con una precisión que no deja lugar a dudas. Quevedo fue amonestado por su festejo, pero el precio fue mínimo comparado con lo que acababa de conseguir. Alianza Lima cerraba el marcador 2-1 y avanzaba a los cuartos de final de la Copa Sudamericana.
El equipo dirigido por Néstor Gorosito lo hizo sin Paolo Guerrero ni Piero Cari, ambos lesionados, y en cancha ajena. Para los hinchas que viajaron desde Lima, la noche en Quito terminó con las esperanzas intactas y una siguiente ronda esperando.
Alianza Lima traveled to Quito needing only a draw to advance. They left Peru with a two-goal cushion from the first leg—a 2-0 victory at home—which meant Universidad Católica faced an almost impossible task at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa. The Peruvian team's margin of safety was substantial, but margins mean nothing once the whistle blows.
Azarias Londoño gave the home side hope early, scoring in the 18th minute after beating Miguel Trauco to the ball and chipping it past Guillermo Viscarra. The goal was checked by VAR and confirmed valid. For a moment, the Ecuadorian crowd believed. But Alianza Lima's experience and composure showed. Erick Castillo equalized in the 39th minute, slipping through a gap in the defense to finish cleanly. The teams went into halftime level, but the aggregate score still favored the visitors.
The second half unfolded as a tense, back-and-forth affair. Both sides had chances. Castillo nearly had a second when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but misfired. Viscarra made a crucial save from a long-range effort by Gregori Anangonó. The match had the texture of a cup tie—desperate, physical, with neither team willing to surrender. In the 80th minute, Carlos Zambrano, Alianza's defensive anchor, had to be carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Gianfranco Chávez.
Then, in the 81st minute, Kevin Quevedo settled it. From distance, he struck a shot of such quality that it seemed to hang in the air before finding the net. The ball bent past the goalkeeper with the kind of precision that ends arguments. Quevedo was booked for his celebration, but the yellow card was a small price for what he had just delivered. Alianza Lima was through to the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana.
The final whistle came with five minutes of added time still to play. Alianza had done what they came to do—survive in hostile territory and advance. Universidad Católica, needing to win by three goals to progress outright, never found the breakthrough that might have changed the equation. For Alianza, managed by Néstor Gorosito, the victory represented more than just progression. It was a statement of intent in a continental competition, achieved without key players Paolo Guerrero and Piero Cari, who remained sidelined by injury. The club's supporters, who had made the journey to Ecuador, left with their hopes intact. The next round awaited.
Citações Notáveis
We came with the conviction to qualify. We secured an important advantage in the first leg. We know this will be a very different match from the one in Lima.— Eryc Castillo, Alianza Lima forward
We are filled with hope and eager to bring the qualification. It would be something historic for the club and for us as players.— Sergio Peña, Alianza Lima midfielder
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
Alianza had a two-goal advantage going in. Did that change how they played?
It gave them a different kind of pressure, actually. You don't have to chase the game, but you also can't afford to lose focus. One mistake and suddenly the aggregate is tight. They were composed, but you could feel the tension.
Quevedo's goal—was that the moment you knew it was over?
Yes. It was the kind of finish that closes a door. Long range, perfectly struck. When something like that goes in, the other team's belief drains. Universidad Católica needed three goals. After that, they were chasing ghosts.
Zambrano going off on a stretcher—how much did that matter?
He's their leader at the back. But they had cover, and by that point the game was already decided. It was more symbolic than anything else. The damage was done.
What does this mean for Alianza going forward?
They're in the quarterfinals of a continental tournament without their best striker. That's significant. It says something about the depth and character of the group. They'll face better opposition now, but they've proven they can compete at this level.
Did the home crowd ever really threaten them?
Londoño's goal gave them a moment. But Alianza answered immediately with Castillo. They didn't panic. That's the difference between a team that belongs in this competition and one that's hoping to sneak through.